Store-bought spice packets are convenient until you read the ingredient list. Most are loaded with anti-caking agents, fillers, and more sodium than the recipe needs. Every mix on this page is made from spices already in the pantry - measured, tested, and balanced in Sarah's kitchen. Whether it's a rub for the smoker, a blend for weeknight pasta, or a copycat of a grocery store staple, these are the recipes worth keeping.
A note from Sarah Mock:
I've been mixing my own spice blends for over 17 years - long before it was trendy. A classically trained chef learns quickly that control over your seasoning is control over your food. These recipes are the ones I actually use, written so the ratios make sense and the flavors land right.
Everyday Seasoning Blends Worth Making in Bulk
These are the workhorses. The mixes that belong in a labeled jar on the counter, ready to go on a weeknight. Homemade Seasoned Salt covers more ground than the Lawry's version - same flavor profile, zero mystery ingredients. The All Purpose Seasoning Blend is the one to reach for when a recipe doesn't tell you what to use. Make a double batch of both.
Rubs & Bold Seasoning Mixes for Grilling and Smoking
A good rub is the difference between meat that tastes seasoned and meat that has a crust with actual flavor. Blackening Seasoning brings real heat and char - use it on fish, chicken, or pork. The Turkey Rub works well beyond Thanksgiving - it's a solid all-season poultry blend. Jerk Seasoning goes on anything that's heading toward high heat.
Copycat Seasoning Recipes - Skip the Packet
The packet versions of these blends have 20+ ingredients. The homemade versions have eight - and taste better because the ratios are right. Onion Soup Mix is the one that gets used in everything from dips to pot roast. Spaghetti Seasoning takes five minutes to mix and replaces a recipe staple most people buy without thinking.
Specialty Spice Blends - International Flavors, Pantry Ingredients
Not every spice mix is a weeknight shortcut - some are the whole point of a dish. Chinese Five Spice is one of the most misunderstood blends in Western kitchens - the homemade version is more balanced than most store-bought jars, and the post includes 13 recipes that actually use it. Chai Spice Mix goes well beyond tea - it belongs in baked goods, oatmeal, and anywhere warm spice fits.
Turkey Seasoning Blends - Rubs, Brines, and Poultry Mixes
These three belong together every November, but they're worth using year-round. The Dry Turkey Brine is the one to start 48 hours ahead - it draws moisture in and seasons all the way through. Poultry Seasoning is the foundational blend for stuffing, gravy, and any chicken dish that needs depth without heat.
More Homemade Spice Mixes & Seasoning Recipes
Below, find the full collection - including Basil Salt (one of the most underrated finishing salts worth making), the Chinese Five Spice substitute guide for when the pantry is missing something, and Guacamole Seasoning that makes avocado prep a two-minute job. Keep scrolling.
